Pouch fly

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture comprising an undergarment is disclosed. A fly pouch is formed by connecting an outer panel to an inner portion of the undergarment. The fly pouch is configured to be opened by pulling the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment. The pulling of the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment allows a portion of a body that has been inserted or is visible through an opening in the inner portion of the undergarment to be exposed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/578,353, filed Oct. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the technical field ofclothing, manufacturing of clothing and, in one specific example, to anundergarment and manufacturing of the undergarment having a special flydesign.

BACKGROUND

Men's underwear comes in many different styles, including briefs, boxerbriefs, trunks, boxers, jockstraps, bikinis, long underwear, andG-strings. Some men's underwear may include a fly, which is an openingthrough which the man can insert his penis (e.g., such that the man doesnot have to pull down his underwear to urinate). Standard fly designsinclude a vertical fly, a horizontal fly, and a “Y” or y-front fly.Technical problems sought to be solved by various fly designs mayinclude problems related to discomfort, difficulty in accessing ofgenitalia, poor aesthetic appeal, slow drying and/or moisture wicking,inefficient or difficult manufacturing processes, expensivemanufacturing processes, inadequate support for genitalia or portions ofgenitalia in certain circumstances (e.g., during athletic pursuits), andso on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a sketch depicting a front view of an example undergarmenthaving various features disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B is a sketch depicting a back view of the example undergarment;

FIG. 2 is a sketch depicting an additional front view of theundergarment;

FIG. 3 is a sketch depicting a partial cross-sectional side view of anexample undergarment as worn by a person;

FIG. 4A depicts an example pattern for a gusset of the exampleundergarment;

FIG. 4B depicts an example pattern for half of a lower front pouch ofthe example undergarment.

FIG. 4C depicts an example pattern for an upper inner front pouch of theexample undergarment;

FIG. 4D depicts an example pattern for an outer front panel of theexample undergarment;

FIG. 5 depicts a pattern for a back of the example undergarment;

FIG. 6 depicts an example order form for pattern pieces (e.g., asdepicted in FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG. 5) that may be used to assemble orconnect the example undergarment; and

FIG. 7 depicts an example physical swatch of fabric that is selected forthe example undergarment.

FIG. 8 depicts an example care label, which may be attached to a topportion of the front panel of the undergarment.

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an example undergarment being worn by awearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding ofvarious embodiments of the present subject matter. It will be evident,however, to those skilled in the art that various embodiments may bepracticed without these specific details.

An article of manufacture comprising an undergarment is disclosed. A flypouch is formed by connecting an outer panel to an inner portion of theundergarment. The fly pouch is configured to be opened by pulling theouter panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment. The pullingof the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarmentallows a portion of a body that has been inserted or is visible throughan opening in the inner portion of the undergarment to be exposed.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer panel includes at least aportion of a top edge that is not connected to the undergarment. Inexample embodiments, the portion of the top edge is comprised of astretchable material to ease the pulling away of the outer panel fromthe inner portion of the undergarment. In example embodiments, thestretchable material is also used for a waistband of the undergarment.In example embodiments, a care label associated with the undergarment isplaced on the outer front panel. In example embodiments, one or moreportions of the undergarment are comprised of a mesh-like material(e.g., to ease the pulling away of the outer panel from the innerportion of the undergarment or to provide a desired porosity to permitair circulation, wick moisture away from skin, or otherwise keep thewearer cool or dry).

Optionally, in any embodiment, a fly pouch is formed by an inner portionof the undergarment and an outer front panel of the undergarment,wherein the inner portion includes an opening configured for insertingat least a portion of male genitalia such that the portion of the malegenitalia is positioned outside the inner portion of the undergarmentand covered by the outer front panel when the outer front panel isclosed; and a top portion of the outer front panel comprised of astretchable material such that the outer front panel is configured to beopened by pulling the outside panel away from the inner portion touncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outside ofthe inner portion. Optionally, in any embodiment, the inner portionincludes an inner front panel and a front pouch and the opening isincluded in a bottom portion of the inner front panel.

A method of creating an undergarment is disclosed. The undergarmentincludes a fly pouch formed by an inner portion of the undergarment andan outer front panel of the undergarment. The inner portion includes anopening configured for inserting at least a portion of male genitaliasuch that the portion of the male genitalia is positioned outside of theinner portion and covered when the outer front panel is closed. A topportion of the outer front panel is comprised of a stretchable materialsuch that the outer front panel may be opened by pulling the outer frontpanel away from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the malegenitalia that is positioned outside of the inner portion.

FIG. 1A is a sketch depicting an example undergarment 100 (front view)having various features disclosed herein. The example undergarmentincludes an outer front panel 104. The outer front panel 104 includes aportion (e.g., top portion 106) comprised of a stretchable material,such as an elastic band. Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer frontpanel 104 is attached or connected to the undergarment at various points(e.g., on a bottom side, a left side, and a right side), but at leastsome portion of the outer front panel (e.g., the top portion 106) isunconnected to the undergarment. Attachments or connections may beformed by stitching, gluing, stapling, riveting, and so on. Optionally,in any embodiment, the undergarment may have a seamless construction(e.g., using a circular knitting method). Thus, for example, the topportion 106 may be pulled away from the undergarment (e.g., from one ormore separate inner portions, described in more detail below) to openthe outer front panel 104, exposing any portion of genitalia that isinserted through or visible through an opening included in an innerportion. In this way, an action of opening of the outer front panel 104may easily and conveniently expose the portion of the genitalia (e.g.,for urination).

Optionally, in any embodiment, at least some portions of theundergarment (e.g., the front panel 104) are comprised of an additionalstretchable material (e.g., mesh fabric) to ease the opening of theouter front panel 104. Thus, although the outer front panel 104 may beat least partially connected to the undergarment (e.g., by stitching ofone or more of the bottom side, left side, and right side of the outerfront panel to the back or inside pouch of the undergarment) the outerfront panel 104 may nevertheless be pulled far enough away from theundergarment to expose a portion of the genitalia that has been insertedthrough or is visible through an opening included in an inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 is sized andarranged such that, when the outer front panel 104 is closed, it coversall or a portion of genitalia that has been inserted through or wouldotherwise be visible through the opening of the inside pouch. Forexample, optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 has aheight that starts from a location at or below a waistband 108 of theundergarment and extends to a location below the opening included in aninner portion. Additionally, the outer front panel 104 has a sufficientwidth to cover the portion of the male genitalia when it is insertedthrough an opening of an inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, as discussed in more detail with respectto FIG. 2, the inner portion includes an upper portion (e.g., an innerfront panel) and a lower portion (e.g., a front pouch). Optionally, inany embodiment, the opening is included in a lower portion of the innerfront panel (e.g., to coincide with a location of a shaft of the penisof a wearer of the undergarment). The opening may be one of variousshapes that provide comfort to the wearer or aesthetic appeal to thewearer or an observer, including circular, semi-circular, elliptical,square, rectangular, octagonal, and so on. Optionally, in anyembodiment, the outer front panel 104 extends below an upper portion ofthe inside pouch such that it also covers at least part of the lowerportion of the inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the waistband 108 is comprised of a samestretchable material as the top portion 106 or of an additionalstretchable material that is not as stretchable as the materialcomprising the top portion 106. Thus, for example, pulling on the topportion 106 may result in more stretching of the top portion 106 of theouter front panel than stretching of the waistband 108, allowing thewaistband 108 to remain relatively close to the wearer as the frontpanel 104 is pulled away from the undergarment.

Optionally, in any embodiment, a care label (or tag) 110 is attached orconnected to the top portion 106. The care label 110 may be designed tosatisfy any labelling requirements or laws of a jurisdiction where theundergarment will be involved in commerce (e.g., manufactured, imported,exported, or sold), such as the Care Labeling Rule enforced by theFederal Trade Commission of the United States Federal Government.Optionally, in any embodiment, the attachment of the care label 110 tothe front portion 106 renders the undergarment more comfortable than ifthe care label were to be placed elsewhere on the undergarment, such aswhere the care label might contact the skin of the wearer of theundergarment. For example, placing the care label 110 on the frontportion 106 may result in an extra layer of fabric (e.g., the innerpouch, discussed below) coming between the care label and the skin ofthe wearer of the undergarment thereby avoiding direct contacttherebetween. Optionally, in any embodiment, the undergarment does nothave any care labels or tags positioned inside the undergarment wherethey would contact the skin of the wearer of the undergarment.

Additionally, placing the care label 110 on the top portion 106 may helpthe user open the outer front panel 104. For example, the care label 110may not only provide a sensory-perceptible cue (e.g., a sight cue basedon a different color or a touch cue based on a different texturerelative to other portions of the undergarment) as to make it easy forthe wearer to find the location of the top portion 106 in relation tothe undergarment, but also a surface for gripping of the top portion 106when performing the opening of the front panel 104. Optionally, in anyembodiment, the care label 110 may be comprised of a stickier or moregrippable material than other materials comprising the undergarment.Optionally, in any embodiment, the care label may include a finger holeor loop to grab.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the undergarment may include furtherstretchable material (e.g., elastic bands) circumferentially disposedaround the edges of the leg openings 112A and 112B, which may furtherimprove the fit or comfort of the undergarment (e.g., by serving as ananti-roll hem). Optionally, in any embodiment, the stretchable materialused at the leg openings 112A and 112B may be the same stretchablematerial that is used for the waistband 108 or for the top portion 106of the outer front panel 104. Or the leg openings 112 may be comprisedof a different or less stretchy material to provide a tighter or morecomfortable fit.

FIG. 1B is a sketch depicting a back view 150 of the exampleundergarment. As shown, the waistband 108 may extend around theundergarment and the material at the edges of the leg openings 112A and112B may extend around each leg opening.

FIG. 2 is a sketch depicting an additional front view 200 of theundergarment of FIG. 1A. In this example, the outer front panel 104 isremoved, revealing an inner portion 254 comprising an inner front panel252 and an inner or lower front pouch (e.g., having a right side 256Aand a left side 256B). An opening 258 is comprised of a bottom edge 260of the inner front panel 252. Optionally, in any embodiment, at least aportion of the opening 258 is not connected (e.g., via stitching) toother portions of the undergarment. Optionally, in any embodiment,portions of the bottom edge 260 that do not comprise the opening 258 areconnected (e.g., via stitching) to the lower front pouch 256 or theouter front panel 104 (not shown). Although the opening 258 is depictedas being of a semi-circular shape, any shape capable of accommodating aportion of genitalia, such as a penis, is contemplated, including round,square, rectangular, oval, elliptical, etc. Additionally, although theopening 258 is depicted as comprising a portion of the bottom edge 260of the inner front panel 252 of the inner portion 254, it is alsocontemplated that the opening may be at a different location within theinner portion 254 (e.g., within the upper portion of the inner frontpanel 252, the front pouch, or extending across both the inner frontpanel 252 and the front pouch, or otherwise not simply comprising partof the bottom edge 260).

Optionally, in any embodiment, the lower front pouch 256 of the innerportion 254 is comprised of a right portion 256A and a right portion256B. Optionally, in any embodiment, the right portion 256A and the leftportion 256B are connected (e.g., via stitching) to each other, forminga contoured shape (e.g., to fit around a portion of male genitalia thatis not inserted through the opening, such as a scrotum). Optionally, inany embodiment, the lower front pouch is connected to the portions ofthe bottom edge 260 that do not comprise the opening 258 and/or thelower front pouch is otherwise connected to the inner front panel 252.Additionally, the front pouch is connected to the other portions of theundergarment. In this way, a penis may be sandwiched between the innerportion 254 of the undergarment and the outer front panel 104 when theouter front panel 104 is closed and a scrotum may simultaneously becontained within the front pouch. When inserted through the opening 258,a penis may be kept in a relatively centered position within theundergarment. Thus, the penis is comfortably cradled between two layersof fabric (e.g., soft, mesh fabric) such that the wearer has little orno desire for adjustment while wearing the undergarment. Thus, acombination of the inner portion 254 and the outer front panel 104 mayprovide the wearer with a secure and comfortable feeling (e.g., evenduring periods of high activity, such as during participation in anathletic endeavor). Additionally, because portions of genitalia may beheld in particular locations or pouches (e.g., an inner front pouch anda fly pouch) within the undergarment, the undergarment may appear to anobserver to have a consistently-contoured appearance or otherwiseprovide an enhanced aesthetic appeal.

Optionally, in any embodiment, a fly pouch is formed by connecting theouter front panel 104 to the undergarment such that a portion ofgenitalia that is inserted through or visible through the opening 258 inthe inner portion 254 of the undergarment is covered when the outerfront panel 104 is closed and exposed when the outer front panel 104 isopened.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the bottom edges of the right portion256A and the left portion 256B may be further connected to a gusset (notshown), which may, in turn, be connected to the back of theundergarment.

FIG. 3 is a sketch depicting a cross-sectional side view 300 of anexample undergarment as worn by a person. As depicted, the exampleundergarment includes an opening 358 between an inside panel 354 of aninner portion of the undergarment and a lower front pouch 356 of theinner portion. Although not shown in the cross-section 300, bottom edgesof the inside panel 354 that do not comprise the opening may beconnected to the lower front pouch 356 of the inside portion.

The example undergarment also includes an outer front panel 304. Theouter front panel 304 is connected to the lower front pouch 354 at alocation below the opening 358. Additionally, although not shown in thecross-sectional view 300, at least portions of a left edge and rightedge of the outer front panel 304 may be connected to the inner frontpanel, the lower front pouch, and/or the back of the undergarment.Optionally, in any embodiment, at a portion (e.g., top portion 306) ofthe front panel 304 is not connected to the undergarment. Thisunconnected portion may further be comprised of a stretchable material(e.g., an elastic band), thus enabling the front panel 304 to be openedby pulling the unconnected portion away from the undergarment.

Optionally, in any embodiment, various portions of the undergarment(e.g., the front panel 304 of the undergarment) are comprised of anadditional stretchable material (e.g., a mesh material) that furthereases the pulling of the front panel 304 away from the undergarment,thus opening the front panel 304 to expose any portion of genitalia thatis inserted through or visible through the opening 358. The stretchablematerial of the undergarment may be selected such that insertion of aportion of male genitalia through the opening 358 is more comfortablethan it would be with a less stretchable material, regardless of varioussizes or arousal states of the portion of the male genitalia.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the stretchable material used for the topportion 306 of the front panel 304 may be comprised of a morestretchable material than a stretchable material comprising a waistbandof the undergarment or of the stretchable material comprising theundergarment itself

Optionally, in any embodiment, the top portion 306 of the outer frontpanel 304 includes a care label, as described above with respect to FIG.1.

Optionally, in any embodiment, if no portion of male genitalia isinserted through the opening 358, the portion of the male genitalia maynevertheless be easily fished out through the opening 358, and thuseasily and conveniently presented for typical functions (e.g., forurination).

FIGS. 4A-4D depict example patterns for various portions of an exampleundergarment having at least some of the features described herein. FIG.4A depicts a pattern for a gusset, as described herein. FIG. 4B depictsa pattern for half of a lower front pouch (two of which are combined toform the lower front pouch), as described herein. FIG. 4C depicts apattern for an inner front panel, having a shape for an opening, asdescribed herein. FIG. 4D depicts a pattern for an outer front panel, asdescribed herein. Might want to describe the shapes in greater detail ifyou think you are ever going to claim them.

FIG. 5 depicts a pattern for a back of the example undergarment, whichcomprises leg openings, as described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts an example order form for pattern pieces (e.g., asdepicted in FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG. 5) that may be used to assemble orconnect an example undergarment, as described herein. As shown, theorder form specifies example finishes (e.g., for waist band, frontpanel, and leg openings) that comprise stretchable (e.g., elastic)materials.

FIG. 7 depicts a selected physical swatch of fabric for theundergarment. As described herein, the selected fabric may be comprisedof a stretchable (e.g., mesh) material, which may ease the opening ofthe front panel of the undergarment.

FIG. 8 depicts an example care label, which may be attached to a topportion of the front panel, as described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an example undergarment being worn by awearer.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specificexample embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a parthereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specificembodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Theembodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture comprising: anundergarment comprising a fly pouch, the fly pouch comprising an innerportion of the undergarment having an opening therethrough and an outerpanel coupled to the inner portion of the undergarment, the fly pouchbeing openable by a pulling of the outer panel away from the innerportion of the undergarment, the pulling of the outer panel away fromthe inner portion of the undergarment allowing a portion of a body thathas been inserted or is visible through the opening in the inner portionof the undergarment to be exposed.
 2. The article of manufacture ofclaim 1, wherein the outer panel includes at least a portion of a topedge that is unconnected to the undergarment.
 3. The article ofmanufacture of claim 2, wherein the portion of the top edge is comprisedof a stretchable material to ease the pulling away of the outer panelfrom the inner portion of the undergarment.
 4. The article ofmanufacture of claim 3, wherein the undergarment further comprises awaistband, and wherein the stretchable material is also used for thewaistband.
 5. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein a carelabel associated with the undergarment is coupled to the outer frontpanel.
 6. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the outer panelis comprised of a mesh-like material to further ease the pulling away ofthe outer panel from the inner portion of the undergarment.
 7. Anarticle of manufacture comprising: an undergarment comprising an innerportion and an outer front panel, the outer front panel having a topportion, wherein the inner portion is coupled to the outer front panelthereby forming a fly pouch, wherein: the inner portion comprises anopening extending therethrough and configured for inserting at least aportion of male genitalia into the opening such that the portion of themale genitalia is positioned outside the inner portion of theundergarment and covered by the outer front panel when the outer frontpanel is in a closed configuration; and the top portion of the outerfront panel is comprised of a stretchable material such that the outerfront panel is configured to be opened by pulling the outer front panelaway from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the male genitaliathat is positioned outside of the inner portion.
 8. The article ofmanufacture of claim 7, wherein the outer front panel comprises anadditional stretchable material for easing of the opening of the outerfront panel.
 9. The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein thestretchable material is an elastic band and the additional stretchablematerial is a mesh fabric.
 10. The article of manufacture of claim 7,wherein the undergarment includes a waistband disposed adjacent to anupper portion of the undergarment and that is comprised of thestretchable material.
 11. The article of manufacture of claim 7, whereina care label associated with the undergarment is coupled to an outersurface of the top portion of the outer front panel.
 12. The article ofmanufacture of claim 7, wherein the inner portion includes an insidefront panel and a front pouch disposed below the inside front panel andwherein the opening is included in a bottom portion of the inner frontpanel.
 13. A method of creating an undergarment, the method comprising:forming a fly pouch with an inner portion of the undergarment and anouter front panel of the undergarment; and disposing an opening in theinner portion, wherein the opening is configured for inserting at leasta portion of male genitalia such that the portion of the male genitaliais positioned outside of the inner portion and covered when the outerfront panel is closed, wherein a top portion of the outer front panel iscomprised of a stretchable material such that the outer front panel maybe opened by pulling the outer front panel away from the inner portionto uncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outsideof the inner portion.
 14. A method of wearing an undergarment, themethod comprising: inserting a portion of male genitalia through anopening in an inner portion of the undergarment and into a fly pouch ofthe undergarment such that the portion of male genitalia is outside theinner portion and covered by an outer front panel of the undergarment,the outer front panel coupled to the inner portion to form the flypouch;
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: disposing theouter front panel away from the inner portion, thereby opening the flypouch and exposing the portion of male genitalia.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the disposing of the front panel away from the innerportion includes using a care label as a handle to pull on the outerfront panel.